The Argentine stunned onlookers by recording a time just a second and a half shy of the German Formula 1 driver's effort, leading to a track session at Donington Park

Sergio Aguero's remarkable turn of pace is feared by defenders the world over, but it seems his silky skills and need for speed are not just confined to the football pitch.

The Manchester City striker took to the race track earlier this summer, after Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One team driver Nico Rosberg challenged several of football's finest to test their mettle on a lap of the famous Monza circuit behind the wheel of a simulator, as part of the PUMA RACE OFF challenge.

Manchester United duo Phil Jones and Michael Carrick also took part, as well as Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, former team-mate Cesc Fabregas and Milan enforcer Nigel de Jong, but it was Aguero's lightning quick time of 1:22:58 - just a second and a half behind Rosberg's own effort - which set pulses racing.

Rosberg promptly invited Aguero to Donington Park for a track session, during which the Argentine set several impressive lap times in a race-tuned Mercedes C 63 AMG performance car, before the German F1 star took things to the next level by whizzing his companion around in a Mercedes DTM car.

Aguero might have proved he has a future in the world of racing once his footballing days are done, but insists that, for now, he is fully focused on helping City triumph in this season's title race.

"It is clear that it will be difficult because last year we got an advantage, well, United and us, over Chelsea," he admitted.

"And then it was a steadfast fight with them. Now, Chelsea have come to the fore and it will be more challenging this year, but also good. We hope to repeat it again."

Last season's heroics have already earned Aguero a place on this year's 23-man shortlist for the Fifa Ballon d'Or award and, although he is likely to lose out to countryman Lionel Messi, Aguero insists just being nominated for the second year in a row is a mark of his progress.

"To, again, be on the list of the 23 nominees, to be honest, it gives me immense happiness," he added.

"Although there are thousands of players, who are really successful all over the world. Obviously, to be amongst those 23 players is nice. It is difficult but just being there, alongside them, I'm happy."